Manholes Explode During Rush Hour In Montclair And Verona

Exploding manholes?

The Montclair Police Department reported that numerous manholes “exploded” on Claremont Avenue between North Mountain Avenue and the Verona border during the middle of rush hour on Tuesday night.

The explosion – which cause is still unknown - caused a sinkhole on Bloomfield Avenue at the intersection of Sunset Avenue in Verona.

A Nixle alert from the Verona Police Department labeled the incident as a “utility emergency.”

The incident caused traffic snarls in several directions, causing street closures from Bloomfield Avenue at the intersection of Pompton Avenue in Verona to the intersection of South Mountain Avenue in Montclair. Claremont Avenue was also closed from North Mountain Avenue to the Verona border.

At this time there are no reported injuries or power outages, stated Montclair police.

PSE&G and the Montclair and Verona Fire Departments were on scene investigating the cause of the explosion.

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